SABMiller PLC - Acquisition of US importation rights for Grolsch

RNS Number : 4694U
SABMiller PLC
14 May 2008
14 May 2008
SABMiller acquires US importation rights for Grolsch
SABMiller plc announces that it has reached agreement in principle with
Anheuser-Busch to transfer the US importation rights for the Grolsch brand to
SABMiller's subsidiary, Miller Brewing Company. The transfer is subject to the
negotiation of
definitive legal agreements which the parties expect to be finalised in the next
few weeks. The financial terms of the transfer are not being disclosed.
Anheuser-Busch acquired the US distribution rights to the Grolsch brand in
February 2006, prior to SABMiller's subsequent acquisition of the Dutch brewer
Royal Grolsch N.V. which was completed in February 2008. In 2007, Grolsch
imports into the US
grew to approximately 215,000 hectolitres*.
Tom Long, Miller Brewing Co. President and CEO, commented:
'We are delighted to have acquired the US rights to Grolsch, which is a terrific
brand steeped in nearly 400 years of heritage. With Peroni Nastro Azzurro,
Pilsner Urquell and now Grolsch, we will offer some of the best and most
prestigious European
beers to our customers and consumers.'
The agreement will allow Grolsch access to Miller Brewing Company's network of
around 450 distributors, who will have the opportunity to add the iconic Dutch
brand to their businesses. Imported beers have grown at nearly 10% p.a. for the
last three
years and now make up 15% of the US beer market*.
In addition to Grolsch Premium Lager, the deal also incorporates the entire
Grolsch brand line-up, including Grolsch Amber Ale, Grolsch Light Lager and
Grolsch Blonde Lager.
Grolsch's provenance, unique taste profile and existing premium positioning will
play a highly complementary role in Miller's brand portfolio, which has the
scale and reach to grow the Grolsch brand across the US.
SABMiller also announces that with effect from Monday 12 May 2008, its
Australian joint venture, Pacific Beverages (Pty) Limited, began the sale and
distribution of the Grolsch brand in Australia, thereby adding another
significant premium beer brand
to Pacific Beverages' growing premium beer portfolio in Australia.
Ends
* Canadean Wisdom database
About SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world's largest brewers with brewing interests or
distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The group's
brands include premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine
Draft, Peroni
Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of market
leading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largest
bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2007, the group reported US$3,154 million adjusted
pre-tax profit and revenue of US$18,620 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the
London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of
charge from www.sabmiller.com or www.newscast.co.uk.
About Grolsch
Grolsch is a company with a rich tradition that goes back to 1615. The focal
point of Grolsch's commercial activities lies in the Netherlands, Grolsch's
historic home market. However, important international markets for Grolsch
include the United
Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand. Grolsch
is focused on targeting the premium segment with the Grolsch brand as its main
product.
In the year to 31 December 2007, Grolsch reported turnover of EUR332.9 million
and net profit of EUR20 million. Total worldwide sales volumes were 3.3 million
hectolitres (hls), comprising 1.6 million hls of domestic volumes in the
Netherlands, and
1.7 million of international volumes. Grolsch has approximately a 15% market
share in the Netherlands, where it operates from one brewery in Enschede. Its
main domestic brands include Grolsch Premium Pilsner, which represents
approximately 90% of total
volumes in the Netherlands. Grolsch achieves approximately 74% of its
international sales volumes in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada,
France, Australia and New Zealand through a network of alliances.
For more information on Koninklijke Grolsch N.V., visit the company's website:
www.koninklijkegrolsch.nl or www.royalgrolsch.com.
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Affairs Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Investor Tel: +44 20 7659 0174
Relations
Jonathan Oates Business Media Relations Manager Tel: +44 20 7659 0144
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the
solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (the
'Company') or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an inducement to
enter into investment
activity.
This document includes 'forward-looking statements'. These statements may
contain the words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'intend', 'estimate', 'expect' and
words of similar meaning. All statements other than statements of historical
facts included in this
announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's
financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for
future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the
Company's products and
services) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially
different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on numerous assumptions regarding the Company's present and future business
strategies and the
environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These
forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The
Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any
updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change
in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Any
information contained in this
announcement on the price at which the Company's securities have been bought or
sold in the past, or on the yield on such securities, should not be relied upon
as a guide to future performance.
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